Meet Our 2022 Leadership & Board

Jenny Nguyen
President
Together, let’s build a COMMUNITY of leaders where we we can learn, grow, and feel empowered to achieve our goals and make change!
Jenny has held a variety of roles within NAAAP, including Vice President of Internal Affairs and Director of Social Media & Public Relations for NAAAP DC, Volunteer Coordinator for NLA, and Registration & Career Fair Director for the Leadership Convention.
She is the Vice President of the National Organization for Vietnamese American Leadership where she founded a mentorship program for Vietnamese college students. She is also on the Event Execution Committee of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and is a volunteer for Girls on the Run. Jenny received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Wichita State University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in International Development Studies at George Washington University.
She enjoys volunteering, traveling, trying new foods, playing video games, and watching and playing sports.

Aileene Duyan
Executive Vice President
Aileene is an Organizational Change Management Professional certified in ProSci and Project Management (PMP). Born in the Philippines and moved to the U.S., Aileene is a first-generation professional working in the government sector providing consultation services.

Mariah Smith
Vice President of Finance & Strategic Partnerships
Welcome to NAAAP DC. We are excited to have you on board!
Mariah is originally from Newton, KS and has been living in the DMV area since shortly before the pandemic. She graduated from Wichita State University (Go Shocks!) and currently works as a Consultant at Censeo Consulting Group. This is her first year with NAAAP DC and she is excited to serve the chapter as the VP of Finance & Corporate Relations.
She is passionate about serving the AAPI community and has a specific interest in DE&I and Professional Development opportunities this upcoming you. She is committed to helping grow corporate relationships and find new organizations to partner with.
Mariah is looking forward to getting to know the chapter and helping to host a great convention later this year!

Ashruta Acharya
Vice President of Internal Affairs

Sheila Tria
Vice President of External Affairs
Even if you only change one life, you have forever impacted the world.
Sheila Tria is the Vice President of External Affairs for NAAP DC. In this role, Sheila will be responsible for identifying potential community partners and other non-profits with whom to partner and collaborate, as well as serving as a chapter representative. She will also be responsible for managing and overseeing the organization’s and community’s outreach and DEI initiatives.
In her day job, Sheila is a certified Professional Human Resources (HR) leader. For more info connect with her at LinkedIn.
Outside of work, Sheila enjoys volunteering through mentoring & career coaching and advocating for underserved communities. When she is not working or volunteering. Sheila enjoys traveling, the performing arts, and teaching yoga.

Crystal Hamilton
Director of Marketing
I am here to create an environment that promotes empathy & authenticity.
Born and raised in the DMV, Crystal aspired to be an artist the moment she was able to hold a crayon. Though she generally loves the world of art and design, her true passions remain in fashion, graphic, and interior design.
She graduated from George Washington University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, but eventually pursued a career for a Big 4 consulting company helping with business transformation using the latest technologies from development to implementation. However, she applies her creative perspectives in all aspects of her professional and personal life.

Drishti Wadhwa
Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations
Here to answer any and all of your questions regarding how I can help your growth and leadership journey.
Drishti Wadhwa is a Product Marketing Manager at Apprentice. She has her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from UT Austin and is working n her master’s degree from Georgetown University. She’s involved in the Junior League and runs her own business, Boutique Memories, on Etsy in her free time. She’s an ENFJ and an enneagram 8.

Holly Thompson
Co-Director of Professional Development
It is my hope that NAAAP helps you to grow as a person and as a leader!
“Your mind is infinite, it’s your doubts that are limiting.” – Robert Kiyosaki.
This powerful quote summarizes Holly B. Thompson’s philosophy in all areas of life. As a person, an administrative professional at Johns Hopkins University, a real estate investor, a tax professional, a landlord, and in all other ventures of her life- Holly remains grounded in this quote.
Now as she enters her new role as the Director of Professional Development at the National Association of Asian American Professionals, DC (NAAAP DC), she seeks to help others leave their doubts behind and realize their potential.

Alicia Jose
Co-Director of Professional Development
Hello and welcome! I’m looking forward to working together to support your leadership goals!
Alicia Jose serves as an Administrative Officer for the Federal Government. Ms. Jose has led multiple teams in her 13-year career, and currently co-leads an Asian American and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group.
Recently, Ms. Jose received her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus (formerly UMUC).
Outside of work, Alicia enjoys attending concerts, writing music, gardening, hiking, rock climbing, and spending time with her family, friends, and two dachshunds.

Chris Clayton
Director of DEI
Champion of Diversity. A servant leader with a people-first focus.
Born in the Philippines, the second of 2 boys, to an American sailor (father) and a native Filipina (mom), the family pursued a new life collectively in the United States first settling in his father’s hometown of Philadelphia, PA.
Chris spent his formative years growing up in Miami, FL. where he ran track and played football in high school before pursing a degree in Apparel Design and Technology at Florida State University.
Professionally working in fashion industry for close to 2 decades, Chris’ experience is primarily on the human resource, diversity, equity, inclusion, and work place culture front.
In addition to his professional endeavors Chris enjoys being involved in the community through volunteer efforts that connect citizens, business, and government under the mantra: Community. Culture. Commerce.
He is a community builder, architect of workplace culture, and civically engaged.

Ashley Kim
Co-Director, Women in NAAAP
Hello and welcome to the NAAAP DC community!
Ashley Kim’s goal is to empower female leaders within NAAAP DC and the Asian community to succeed professionally and personally.
Ashley currently works at MMS, a strategic financial services firm. She previously worked as a consultant at JLL providing portfolio and asset management services for federal sector clients. Outside of work, she is actively involved as an advisor and board member for education and music nonprofit organizations.
Ashley graduated with an A.B. in Politics from Princeton University. She also studied at the Juilliard School as a competitive violinist. She enjoys film, coffee, golf, and traveling.

Guila Roales
CO-DIRECTOR, WOMEN IN NAAAP
We are the leaders we look forward to having. Welcome to our NAAAP family!
Guila is currently working for the Embassy of Egypt in Washington, DC as an administrative and protocol officer. She works directly with the State Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cairo, and supervises communications in general protocol and security.
Guila also enjoys events and does hosting and directing on her free time, with the interstate pageantry for both little and teen categories for the North American Basketball Association in 2019 as her biggest event to date. She graduated in 2018 from the University of Maryland Global Campus with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and is currently graduate-degree seeking.
She keeps herself busy by writing, reading, karaoke, binge-listening to podcasts, and restaurant hopping for leisure. She has been with NAAAP since 2019.

Susie Han
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Find support of all kinds, sense of community and professional development advice all in one place here with us!
Susie is an International Economist at the US Department of Treasury and is a graduate of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Previous to her time in DC, she was raised in South Florida and attended the University of Florida where she studied Linguistics.
She is familiar with navigating the professional sphere as a first generation college graduate in her family and the challenges that come with it. Given this personal background and her motivation to see more AAPI representation and leadership in the workplace, she’s excited to be a part of NAAAP DC as Corporate Relations Director.
She has never become quite Washingtonian enough to start running but in her spare time, you can catch her Zouk dancing or reading instead.

Teach Roberts
Director of Community Outreach
I am super excited to be back with NAAAP DC. I am looking forward to helping make 2022 a memorable year for NAAAP!

Nicole Arcilla
Director of Self-Care & Wellness

Shezaz Hannan
Director of NAAAP Pride
I’m looking forward to expanding our outreach to Asian American LGBTQ+ folk. Welcome!
Shezaz grew up in Texas where he attended the University of Texas at Austin. After graduating, he began his career in consulting with Accenture in Houston, before relocating to DC during the pandemic. This is his first year with NAAAP DC and he is looking forward to building community in the DC area. As one of NAAAP DC’s Pride Co-Directors, Shezaz is excited to grow as a leader and advocate for the queer community.

Beanca Thai
Director of Collegiate Outreach
I can’t wait to see you at our next event and support you on your professional journey!
Beanca Thai is a recently seperated Army Officer who is beginning her career in public service. She’s currently attending Johns Hopkins University, to get her Masters in Public Management. SHe also serves in the Army Reserves as a Civil Affairs Officer. Prior to that, she attended school at Eastern Washington University to get a BA in Women and Gender Studies. She’s passionate about empowering future generations.

Ryan Namata
Board Chair

Jeleen Sindall
Trustee

Vin Pineda
Trustee

Stan Fujii
Trustee

Jung Lim
TRUSTEE

Thang Ung
TRUSTEE

Teresa Wong
TRUSTEE

Ann Jetton
ADVISOR

Annabel Sheron
ADVISOR

Annie Ly
ADVISOR

Dorris Lin
ADVISOR

Erica DiBiase
ADVISOR

Evelyn Chou
ADVISOR

James Kwon
ADVISOR

Jee Lee
ADVISOR

Irene Thomas
ADVISOR

Jordana Taylor
ADVISOR

Katie Perera
ADVISOR

Millie Kronsteiner
ADVISOR